From Article to Actuality: Local Man’s Lyme Disease Shows Rising Threat in Ticks

Jeff Rick, a Pennington local, traveled to Honduras with his daughters for their fourth annual mission trip, spending a week volunteering at local orphanages. For most of the trip, they stayed indoors. But on their last day, they travelled outside, rock climbing and whitewater rafting. Not long after, he began to feel ill, with a high fever, aching joints, and lots of headaches. It was here he noticed a rash on the back of his leg, but at first he thought it was just a brush burn and nothing serious. They then assumed it was malaria or dengue fever.

After some uncertainty, Rick decided to go to the hospital, where he was placed in a private room and infectious disease specialists were called in. There, a nurse noticed the rash on the back of his leg, and called it: A tick bite. The so-called brush burn was a bullseye rash. Bullseye rashes have target-like appearances with a red ring around a lighter center. These rashes are often the only visible clue of a tick bite, and many patients never even see the tick. He hadn’t.

Rick was diagnosed with Lyme disease, complicated by Lyme meningitis—a rare but serious form where the bacteria can affect the lining of the brain and spinal cord. He spent five days in the hospital on antibiotics. Thankfully, doctors caught it early, so they’re optimistic about his recovery.

Surprisingly, Rick was never bitten in Honduras. In fact, he later confirmed that he was bitten two weeks before the trip, during a hike in the woods in New Jersey. The outing was meant to help them acclimate to the heat before traveling. Their dog came home with eight ticks. They checked themselves, shook out their clothes to check for ticks. However, they wore no long sleeves and took no specific precautions, something that, in hindsight, would have helped. At the time, there were no clear signs something was wrong.

As recent coverage—and now local experience—has shown, the consequences of a missed tick bite can be serious. This spring saw one of the worst tick seasons on record, with more and more people seeking treatment for bites. Doctors at the hospital confirmed the trend, calling it the highest volume of tick-related cases they’ve ever seen.

As tick season carries on, it becomes increasingly important to take the proper steps to protect ourselves, not just during deep-wood hikes, but in our backyards, on trails, and even in parks. Simple precautions can make a big difference: wearing light-colored, long-sleeved clothing, using EPA-approved insect repellents, and performing tick checks after outdoor activities.

This season’s high tick activity isn’t just another statistic, but a public health issue that’s already affecting those in our own community. Be safe, be protected, and be aware of ticks.

A special thank you to Jeff Rick for sharing your experience - Here at The West Windsor Voice, we wish you a successful and speedy recovery!